Surviving the Battleground of Childhood

Beaten by his father from his earliest memories, sexually molested by two grandfathers; Thomas battled through his childhood, confronting serious challenges, leaning how to be a survivor. Piecing together fragments of his memories he paints a highly picturesque portrait of his developing personality. A poignant and very personal story, sensitively written; there is a lesson here for everyone. More

This is the true story of the first fifteen years of a boy's life, growing up in the coal mining communities of Scotland and England in the 1950s and 60s, and how he survives the adversities of that battleground.

The book is written on two levels; on the first level it is a compulsive, easy to read, true story. The protagonist's narration compels the reader's empathy as, from his earliest memories, he is beaten by a father who - subjected to the harsh existence of a coal miner, and frustrated by the betrayals of an unfaithful wife - vents his anger on him. After suffering a nervous breakdown in his earliest childhood, Thomas endeavours to escape his father's tyranny and his mother's complacency, but in his search for a nourishing love he falls foul of situations he is ill equipped to deal with; often taking him into forbidden and dangerous areas.

At just five years of age he is introduced to sexuality by the two little girls next door, who were themselves sexually molested by their uncle. When he is only six years old, taking advantage of his doting love and trust, a grandfather repeatedly sexually assaults him; unhappily this is just the beginning. Enduring the interminable beatings and psychological tribulations at home and facing the predators, antagonists and bullies in his immediate environment; will his inner courage, determination and indomitable sense of adventure carry him through? Surviving near death experiences and sexual misadventures, and in spite of all adversities, will Thomas manage to reach young adulthood, and still keep the balance of his mind?

On another level 'Surviving the Battleground of Childhood' is a relative mud map that invites the reader to compare his or her own childhood adversities and to see past them. Offering a framework that will perhaps, in spite of perceived ruination for life, assist those in need to be survivors, not just casualties - maimed remnants of the battleground - but real survivors.

'Surviving the Battleground of Childhood' will appeal to anyone who grew up during the 1950's and 60's. Conversely, anyone with an adverse or traumatic experience in their childhood, or were subjected to an abusive upbringing (physical or or psychological) will relate to this book. The potential market for 'Surviving the Battleground of Childhood' is, quite literally, endless. It is a sometimes funny, often tragic but ultimately uplifting and entertaining story about growing up. Most people, young, old and in between, will relate to it in some way regardless of country, era or sociology.

*Reader review: 5 stars by Ruth Medcraft "An amazing and heartfelt story about a young boy who overcomes childhood hardships and extremely difficult tragedies in his young life, and manages to turn his life around through finding the courage to overcome the many hard battles. The way this book has been written was so well done and different in so many ways than many other books I have read. Well done, an absolute pleasure to read! I laughed ,cried and was astounded at how well it was worded to make you feel that you could see it all happening, and felt relief to see our young hero succeed in the end."

*Review by Cherrell Ward at ‘New Book Review’"Our New Book Review: T.D. McKinnon's 'Surviving the Battleground of Childhood' is inspirational reading! This narrative about his childhood is a revealing story about painful experiences and the everyday struggle to overcome serious challenges he faced as a child, and the strength he developed in becoming a survivor. McKinnon's frankness and fearless attitude are amplified by his ability to tell a story well! I give Surviving the Battleground of Childhood 4 ½ Stars!"

*Celebrity Review: 5 stars by Pat Qua, Acclaimed Australian painter, sculptor and musician "Such honesty about the difficulties of the human condition is rare to find - some damaging problems of sex and cruelty are faced with refreshing openness. I just couldn't put it down."

Born in Scotland in 1950 and raised in the coalmining communities of Scotland and England, T.D. McKinnon joined the British Parachute Regiment when he was just fifteen years old. After spending five years in the British army he worked at a number of occupations including bus driver, furnace-man, builder's labourer, roofer, bouncer, storeman, car salesman, life guard, aquatics manager, private investigator and for many years he was in high risk security: event and venue security, close personal protection, cash and gem escort and armed, rapid response for a national bank group.

Training in the martial arts for most of his life and becoming a master in several forms he represented at national level, both in Scotland and Australia, and became a national referee. As well as teaching and instructing in the private sector, he taught at government and private schools; also in the corporate sector (security industry).

T.D. McKinnon has a daughter, Amanda, living in England, sons, Stuart and Steven McKinnon, living in Syney Australia.

Whilst at school T.D. McKinnon displayed a natural talent for writing, but it wasn't until the 1980s, after moving to Australia, that he began writing again. Initially writing for his own enjoyment, after having publications in the 'Letters to the Editor' columns of several Sydney newspapers, the inevitable, delayed budding of his writing career began. Following articles published in 'Impact, Blitz and 'Combat', martial arts magazines, and 'The Green Earth', an environmental newspaper, he began submitting short stories to various magazines e.g. 'Cosmopolitan' etc.

T.D. McKinnon writes in several genres including action/thriller, speculative fiction, memoir and historical fiction. Thomas is now writing full time and has completed 'Surviving the Battleground of Childhood', 'I Was a Teenage Devil - But I'm Alright Now!', 'John Farrell Is Utrinque Paratus', 'Heather Skye Wilson Is the Psychic Warrior', and 'Terra Nullius'.

T.D. presently lives in Tasmania, Australia with his wife Zoë, a professional actor, singer and dancer. Zoë is the editor of T.D.'s works; additionally she designs and creates the book covers.